Helen’s Haven Rock Garden Collection

Tulipa clusiana ‘Chrysantha’

Name: Tulipa clusiana ‘Chrysantha’

Zones: 5b – 9a

Size: 8 – 12 inches tall

Conditions:   Moist well drained soil while in spring growth.  Hot well-sunned soil during summer dormancy

Perhaps it’s the orange that speaks to me.  I do like orange, especially when it’s combined with a cadmium-colored yellow.  Tulipa chrysantha, sometimes sold under the name, ‘Chrysantha’, is orangey on the outside opening to a yellow inside.  The colors seem to have some spice to them.  Tulipa chrysantha is planted
in Helen’s Haven’s rock garden, front and center, so as not to be missed.  Each spring, these species tulips return to charm me out of winter, leaping me forward into spring.

My original planting of 5 Tulipa chrysantha bulbs has grown as the grouping reproduced offsets, increasing their numbers.

The petals open in proportion to the brightness of the sun.  On overcast days, Tulipa chrysantha will remain partially closed; when doing so, the beauty of the bicolor exterior petals, is on display.  The tiny bulbs like to be planted deep — a full six inches deep.    Tulipa chrysantha may need to be lifted and replanted if they begin to show a slowed performance.

This fall, I plan to add more Tulipa chrysantha and other species Tulips.  They may not pack the punch of a Dutch hybrid tulip, but they offer a lot of pizzazz from such a little bulb; one that just can’t be matched.
Helen  Yoestis a garden writer, speaker and garden coach through her business Gardening with Confidence™.